my rhubarb won't grow....

oakfairy · « **on:** January 24, 2008, 23:37 »

i have a rhubarb plant in a pot, it has 2 leaves, they are small and as soon as i get a third leaf, the oldest one withers and dies! this has been going on for a year!!!!! :?
PLEASE HELP!!! what am i doing wrong? :?: does it need feeding?...because i do!! i have waited so loooong to eat this crop!!

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #1 on:** January 25, 2008, 00:12 »

Rhubarb is a very hungry plant. I'm sure you know the old joke

"I put loads of manure on my rhubarb"..... "Oh I put custard on mine"

The are also very thirst plants. If you tip water on them you will see that the leaves act like water funnels directing the water directly down to the roots. The roots are very large and fleshy. I personally think that it doesn't do well in a pots as it is so difficult to give it enough feed and water.

But you know what gardening is like - the next poster will prove me wrong

Trillium · « **Reply #2 on:** January 25, 2008, 00:57 »

I wouldn't, Aunt Sally. I too would say get it out of the pot and into the ground - anywhere possible. The roots simply are too large for any pot, and as you say they are very thirsty hungry plants.
Don't forget the old saying that if you try to dig out your rhubarb, you'll have new plants growing everywhere from all the broken bits left.

noshed · « **Reply #3 on:** January 25, 2008, 09:27 »

And now would be a good time to set it free

Hampshire Hog · « **Reply #4 on:** January 25, 2008, 10:10 »

Oakfairy -free your potted rhubarb! I think this is a petition!

Seriously your rhubarb is likely to need more freedom to grow than a pot can provide. Find a suitable location where it can expand dig a good size hole and pop it in along with some good compost and some well rotted manure. It will repay you for many years to come.

Cheers HH

Scribbler · « **Reply #5 on:** January 25, 2008, 10:35 »

Yes I think it's old enough to be out in the world on its own now, instead of being confined to the pot.

Lots of lovely muck, and lots of water to start it off.

loubylou29 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 25, 2008, 11:22 »

Ok, so I am in a similar posiution, although the rhubarb did ok last year I don't think it will again. (i didn't have anywhere for it)
Would I be able to divide it now? or should I wait untill autumn?

It seems to have 2 crowns now (it is around 4 years old, not in a pot all that time I add!) I would like one in the back agrden and then a bigger patch at the lottie.
any advice? I plan to do it this weekend!

gobs · « **Reply #7 on:** January 25, 2008, 11:28 »

Good plan.

oakfairy · « **Reply #8 on:** January 25, 2008, 19:49 »

okay, you win, i have confined my rhubarb too long :oops: i will set it free this week.... power to the people! thanks all!!!!
ps i have planned the veggie patch!! spent all afternoon marking out the beds with bits of bamboo cane and string... this is a big day for me!! a creation is born!

sawnee · « **Reply #9 on:** January 25, 2008, 19:57 »

YES, THE RHUBARB IS FREE AT LAST.......

loubylou29 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 26, 2008, 09:21 »

Quote from: "gobs"

Good plan.

SO!! can I divide it then or not?

should I divide into 2 or split each 'nub' as it were? into many plants??

please??

gobs · « **Reply #11 on:** January 26, 2008, 09:48 »

Of course you can divide it, chop it up into a few inch wide bits, each with some finer roots attached and plant up. Spodger even left hers out for a bit of chill factor.

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #12 on:** January 26, 2008, 10:46 »

The old gardeners used to dig up their rhubarb every few years to divide it and always left it laying on the top of the ground for a while in Jan or Feb to get chilled.

loubylou29 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 26, 2008, 10:53 »

Oooohhh exciting.. what does 'chilling' it do?

and what is a while? a few days or a few weeks?

oakfairy · « **Reply #14 on:** January 26, 2008, 23:31 »

sounds like a relaxation technique.... oh to be a rhubarb root!

would like to know that too as maybe i can do that when i free it from the pot on wednesday, especially as i may not have anywhere to plant it untill early march..... would it work for a yung'un or is it just a technique for more established plants?

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my rhubarb won't grow....

Trillium